October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease.

While most women and men are aware of breast cancer, many forget to take the steps to have a plan to detect the disease in its early stages and encourage others to do the same.

Members of Mukilteo Fire Department are wearing pink shirts this week to bring the awareness of breast cancer to the forefront, encourage testing, provide support to the survivors and their family, friends and co-workers.

The International Association of Firefighters Local 3482 purchased pink T-shirts for the firefighters to raise awareness in the Mukilteo community and in support of early detection efforts and survivors.

Awareness Facts:

• 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.

• When breast cancer is detected early (in a localized stage), the five-year survival rate is 98 percent.

• Every 74 seconds someone dies from breast cancer in the world.

• Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women 40-50 in the United States.

• Breast cancer is second only to lung cancer in cancer deaths among woman in the United States.

• In 2012, an estimated 226,870 cases of breast cancer will were diagnosed among women and 2,190 cases among men in the United States.

• Breast Cancer affects everyone, not just the person diagnosed. Co-survivors, including family, friends and co-workers can feel the effects as well.

For more information, visit the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month website at www.nbcam.org.